Davis Cup: Somdev plays Andreev in opening singles
By IANSWednesday, March 3, 2010
MOSCOW - Somdev Devvarman will play India’s opening singles against Igor Andreev of Russia in the Davis Cup World Group first round, beginning at Small Sports Arena “Luzhniki” here Friday.
It will be the first meeting between Somdev, ranked 128, and 38th-ranked Andrev, who replaced an injured World No. 6 Nikolay Davydenko.
India’s No.2 Rohan Bopanna, who is at 416 on the ATP charts, will take on World No. 13 Mikhail Youzhny in the second singles.
In Saturday’s doubles, India’s famed pair Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi will meet Igor Kunitsyn and Teimuraz Gabashvili.
India lead Russia 2-1 head-to-head, both sides winning their ties at home.
The hosts have been crowned champion twice, in 2002 and 2006.
India, whose last appearance in the World Group was in 1998, booked its place in the elite 16 with victory over Chinese Taipei and then South Africa in the play-offs.
India have never won the title although have finished runners-up on three occasions, in 1966, 1974 and 1987.
The winners will face either Argentina or Sweden in the quarter-finals July 9-11.
